Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Friday, June 24.
Bale situation as it stands
Cardiff City have put together a complex package which has met Gareth Bale's demands, writes Paul Abbandonato.
It is understood that Bale's representatives are not pushing back on the deal, but that the player has been offered an excellent opportunity elsewhere which he is understandably considering. Whether that is in the MLS or somewhere else is not yet known at this time. He has been strongly linked with American clubs.
Read more : All the latest Cardiff City news today as it happened
Cardiff are said to be respectful of the fact that Bale will take time to weigh up his options. However a decision is expected to be made over the coming days, rather than when he returns from his holiday in mid-July.
It is astonishing in many ways that a player of Bale's stature has contemplated signing for a Championship club, but it is one of the options he is strongly considering and Cardiff remain hopeful of landing his signature.
Bothroyd: Cardiff perfect for Bale
Former Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd thinks Gareth Bale's proposed move to Cardiff makes perfect sense.
Bothroyd said on talkSPORT: “I feel as though Bale is looking and thinking, ‘I have achieved everything I want to in football, I have earned the best part of £500-£600k per week, so I am financially stable'.
“If he does go to Cardiff and the World Cup with Wales, he would be very happy, he will be playing for his hometown club and also representing his country. And then I think he would call it a day. I don’t see him going beyond this.”
Bluebirds linked with striker
The Bluebirds have reportedly shown an interest in signing striker Josh Maja, 23, from Bordeaux. The 23-year-old has a year left on his deal in France, though, so would likely command a fee unless he is cut from his contract.
AllNigeriaSoccer report that Belgian teams Anderlecht and Royal Antwerp are keen, as well as the Bluebirds and Championship rivals Stoke City.
The Nigeria international spent last season on loan at Stoke City after previously having a spell at Fulham the season before. Bordeaux have been relegated to the third tier of French football due to financial issues and Maja could make way as a result, with the club needing to get wages off the book before the season begins.
Two new signings impress Ng
Perry Ng has said he is excited to see how new signings Ollie Tanner and Mahlon Romeo get on after being impressed by them on their second day of pre-season training.
Cardiff reported back to base on Wednesday for their first day of pre-season and Ng said it was like a "new club", given the plethora of new faces he found himself surrounded by.
And speaking about linking up with the squad, he told the club's site: "It's exciting, coming into the changing room it's like coming into a new club again! It's very good, they all seem to be fit, strong lads and I'm excited to play with them," said Ng.
"I think Ollie has got good technical ability, I'm excited to see how he gets on. Also, me and Romes (Mahlon Romeo) did well in the head tennis so I'm excited to see what he's got as well."
The defender also hopes that the players can get a solid pre-season under their belts to ensure they kick-off the season in solid form, which would be a contrast to the previous few campaigns.
He added: "Hopefully, after a good pre-season, we can go into the season strong because the last few years haven't been good enough with our starts, hopefully this time we can put it right."
Vaulks says Cardiff was a 'rollercoaster'
Will Vaulks has described his time at Cardiff City as a "rollercoaster" as he prepares for a new chapter of his career at Sheffield Wednesday.
The Wales midfielder was released upon the end of his contract this summer and has dropped down to League One with the Owls, who will no doubt be mounting a promotion push next season.
Reflecting on his time at the Cardiff, Vaulks told YorkshireLive : "It was a rollercoaster. I enjoyed some big spells at the club and had a good relationship with the fans.
"It was a shame we had a lot of managers in the time I was there. The time was right for me to move on and for the club itself. The manager (Steve Morison) has got new ideas there.
"It was up and down but I wish the club well because I got on so well with the club's fans. Everyone made me feel so welcome.
"But I am ready for a new challenge. I am ready to look upwards as opposed to down."
Osei-Tutu leaves Arsenal
Former Cardiff City loanee Jordi Osei-Tutu has left Arsenal to rejoin VFL Bochum permanently.
The right-back looked like a terrific pick-up for the Bluebirds two seasons ago, but a series of hamstring injuries ruined his campaign in south Wales. He went on loan to Nottingham Forest and then Rotherham United, where he earned promotion, last term.
Osei-Tutu had a loan spell with the German club before signing for Cardiff, for whom he made eight appearances, and enjoyed an excellent stint there, scoring five goals in 22 appearances.
And the 22-year-old has now joined them permanently and wrote a farewell message to Gunners fans on social media.
"I am privileged to be able to say I wore the Arsenal shirt," he said. "The last seven years have been a priceless experience. I will forever be grateful for all the experience and insight gained from the various managers and coaches I have worked under.
"And I would also like to thank the Arsenal fans who have always been supportive. Thank you Arsenal, you will always be in my heart. North London Is Red. But you know what they say; when another door closes another door opens.
"I am over the moon to be able to return to the club I fell in love with on loan VFL Bochum. Ever since leaving I have always dreamt of returning and I’m an delighted to once again put on this blue shirt. I am ready to work hard and fight for this wonderful club. I can’t wait to see all the fans again at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion."
Neil Lennon signs Adam Matthews
A bit of a rogue one, Neil Lennon has signed former Bluebirds and Wales defender Adam Matthews for his new club in Cyprus.
Lennon, who managed the 30-year-old at Celtic, is now manager of Omonia Nicosia and has tapped into his connections with his old club to snap up Matthews, who played 48 times for the Bluebirds at the beginning of his career.
A statement on behalf of Omonia Nicosia read: "We have reached an agreement in principle for a two-year partnership with the 30-year-old Welsh international right-back, Adam Matthews, who has been playing for Charlton Athletic in recent years.
"The footballer has a long presence in Celtic FC, with which he won four championships and two cups and played in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
"He also played in the Sunderland AFC and Cardiff City, and played in 14 games for his national team. Adam Matthews will soon be in Cyprus to complete the agreement."
Read more:
- Gareth Bale believed to be torn between Cardiff City and move to America
- Reading midfielder linked with Bluebirds and two more signings expected this week
- Gareth Bale would get more love at Cardiff than anywhere else - surely after Real Madrid rubbish that means something
- Carabao Cup 1st round draw in full as Cardiff City learn opponents
- What we noticed from Cardiff City's first day of pre-season as kid wins bleep test and prospect spotted
